The <a href="http://www.brewersassociation.org/" target="_blank">Brewers Association</a> just released its annual list of <a href="http://www.brewersassociation.org/pages/media/press-releases/show?title=brewers-association-releases-top-50-breweries-of-2012" target="_blank">Top 50 U.S. Craft Brewing Companies of 2012</a> based on sales volume. A craft brewery is defined as a small, independent brewery that produces less than 6 million US beer barrels. From this list, we culled through the breweries to find which ones had the strongest sustainability programs in place. We understand that this could be a contentious list, and that there are many breweries that didn't make the cut that do incorporate eco-friendly practices into their business operations. Your favorite brewery is much like your favorite sports team and loyalties run high, so if you disagree with our selections, by all means, please let us know in the comments!

1

Sierra Nevada

<a href="http://www.sierranevada.com/brewery/about-us/sustainability" target="_blank"><h3>Sierra Nevada, Chico, CA</h3></a>
We were plumb blown away by Sierra nevada's impressive <a href="http://www.sierranevada.com/brewery/about-us/sustainability" target="_blank">sustainability program</a>. With a 2 MW photovoltaic system and a 1 MW fuel cell on site, the brewery creates 60% of its own electricity. Add to that with a slew of energy efficient strategies, greenhouse gas emissions reductions programs, an on-site wastewater treatment facility, and a 97% diversion program and composting system that keeps waste out of the landfill. Find out more about Sierra Nevada's programs <a href="http://www.sierranevada.com/brewery/about-us/sustainability" target="_blank">here</a>.

2

New Belgium Brewery

<a href="http://www.newbelgium.com/sustainability.aspx" target="_blank"><h3>New Belgium Brewing, Fort Collins, CO</h3></a>
<a href="http://www.newbelgium.com/" target="_blank">New Belgium</a> has long been regarded the darling of the sustainable breweries and what's even more impressive is that they also landed the No. 3 spot on the <a href="http://www.brewersassociation.org/pages/media/press-releases/show?title=brewers-association-releases-top-50-breweries-of-2012" target="_blank">2012 Brewers Association list</a>. The brewery has a 200 kW photovoltaic system that provides 3% of their power and the rest they buy with wind power. They divert 94&amp; of their waste from the landfill and have a number of impressive programs in place to reduce water usage, greenhouse gas emissions and energy. They also have a <a href="http://www.newbelgium.com/sustainability/Sourcing.aspx" target="_blank">Sustainable Purchasing Guidelines</a> in place and you can find out on their site where all their ingredients come from. Learn more about their sustainability programs <a href="http://www.newbelgium.com/sustainability/" target="_blank">here</a>.

3

Bells Brewery

<a href="http://bellsbeer.com/about/sustainability/" target="_blank"><h3>Bell's Beer, Kalamazoo, MI</h3></a>
Last year, <a href="http://bellsbeer.com/" target="_blank">Bell's Beer</a> completed a <a href="http://gbdmagazine.com/2012/bells-brewery/" target="_blank">new state-of-the-art facility</a> in Kalamazoo, Michigan that boasts a green, sedum roof, cool roof, high efficiency systems and a geothermal system for heating and cooling. They also have their <a href="http://bellsbeer.com/about/farm/" target="_blank">own farm</a> nearby where they grow barley for their Midwestern Pale Ale, Christmas Ale and Harvest Ale. They divert 93% of their waste from the landfill, are working on reducing water consumption and are always increasing their energy efficiency. Check out more of what Bell's Beer is doing <a href="http://bellsbeer.com/about/sustainability/" target="_blank">here</a>.

4

Harpoon Brewery

<a href="http://www.harpoonbrewery.com/about/environment" target="_blank"><h3>Harpoon Brewery, Boston, MA</h3></a>
Boston's <a href="http://www.harpoonbrewery.com/" target="_blank">Harpoon Brewery</a> is dedicated to being a good neighbor and as such was awarded the <a href=" Boston Green Business Award in the spring of 2012." target="_blank">Boston Green Business Award in the spring of 2012</a>. To achieve that, they have a number of energy efficient strategies in place like, motion sensors and more energy-efficient chiller and freezers. Their spent grain is given to local farmers rather than sent to the landfill and brewery waste water is treated on site. They also recently installed a new cogen system to increase the facility's efficiency. Learn more about what Harpoon is doing to reduce their impact <a href="http://www.harpoonbrewery.com/about/environment" target="_blank">here</a>.

5

Boulevard Brewing Company

<a href="http://www.boulevard.com/brewery/sustainability/" target="_blank"><h3>Boulevard Brewing Co, Kansas City, MO</h3></a>
You may remember hearing about <a href="http://www.boulevard.com/" target="_blank">Boulevard Brewing Co's</a> <a href="http://inhabitat.com/boulevard-brewery-expands-with-a-light-and-hop-filled-addition-in-kansas-city/" target="_blank">new, energy efficient facility</a> when we wrote about it last fall. In addition to that, they are working towards becoming a zero waste facility and even helped start a glass recycling facility in their home town. Wastewater is treated on-site and some of it is recycled, a gorgeous green roof reduces cooling loads, and spent grain is sent to local farmers. Read more about Boulevard's sustainability program <a href="http://www.boulevard.com/brewery/sustainability/" target="_blank">here</a>.

6

Alaskan Brewing Co

<a href="http://www.alaskanbeer.com/our-brewery/sustainable-brewing.html" target="_blank"><h3>Alaskan Brewing Co, Juneau, AK</h3></a>
Even though Alaskan Brewing Co's ingredients have to travel a long way by boat to get to up to Juneau, they are working hard to minimize their impact. They were the first craft brewery in the United States to install and operate a carbon dioxide (CO2) reclamation system, which is a natural byproduct of the brewing process. They also send their spent grain to farmers, but they dry it out beforehand to make shipping by barge more manageable. In addition, the brewery is also developing improved methods to reduce water consumption and make the most out of the precious resources they have. Check out more of Alaskan Brewing Co's policies and practices <a href="http://www.alaskanbeer.com/our-brewery/sustainable-brewing.html" target="_blank">here</a>.

7

1/7

America's Favorite Sustainable Craft Breweries

The Brewers Association just released its annual list of Top 50 U.S. Craft Brewing Companies of 2012 based on sales volume. A craft brewery is defined as a small, independent brewery that produces less than 6 million US beer barrels. From this list, we culled through the breweries to find which ones had the strongest sustainability programs in place. We understand that this could be a contentious list, and that there are many breweries that didn't make the cut that do incorporate eco-friendly practices into their business operations. Your favorite brewery is much like your favorite sports team and loyalties run high, so if you disagree with our selections, by all means, please let us know in the comments!